Saturday, September 28, 2013

Beach Games

I love, love, love to play games. Board games, card games any kind of games (except those which require a physical talent or coordination, which I sorely lack) So when our family gets together, I usually demand, ask everyone to play a family game at least once. This year they humored me and we played girls vs boys in "Family Feud".

Everyone, from the oldest, (my Dad), to the youngest, (Elijah), played. It was a lot of fun, especially since the girls won! There were lots of laughs and, surprisingly, very few arguments. I think it's safe to say they can endure, look forward to another round next year!

The night before, we enjoyed another family beach tradition. We played "Putt-Putt". Because this game requires some of the aforementioned physical skills, I chose to be the photographer for the evening. Leaving the knocking of the little white ball, (or blue ball or red ball...), to the rest of my crew.

Daddy teaching Elijah

Nana aiming

After seeing Beth get that hole in one, Abbey studies Beth for pointers.

Daniel is close...

And it's Super-Mom! Putt-putting with baby in tow!

Grandaddy enjoys being with all the kids!

After the game, comes the part that I like.... Ice Cream!!

Layne anticipating....

Ummm, got it!

Daddy let Daniel and Abbey play their first arcade game.

Ahhh, such sweet memories!

***Post-note I got a text tonight from Daniel asking me if I noticed a typo on my latest blog post. I looked twice, had John, Sr look twice and still didn't get it. The fact is Daniel has played arcade games many times in the past 19 years. It was obviously Elijah's first experience. Just checking to make sure you're reading there, Daniel! (Yeah, that's my story...) end of post note***

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Christmas 2016

About Me

My husband, John, and I have been blessed with 6 marvelous kids. The path to each of them, whether by birth or adoption from China, was orchestrated by God and we are grateful for each of them. This blog is about our family.

Paradox

My Marvelous Family

Favorite Quotes

"The Bible calls debt a curse and children a blessing; but in our culture, we apply for a curse and reject blessings. Something is wrong with this picture." ~ Doug Phillips

"I can not change the world but I can change the world for one person" -Mother Teresa

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and proclaiming, 'Wow, what a ride!!!'"

"Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphan and widows..." James 1:27

"Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.” - Martin Luther King Jr

"To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways: we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness. It should rather be an expression of breathless expectation."- Oswald Chambers

"All that we call human history--money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery--[is] the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy." -C.S. Lewis

"One can give without loving, but one can not love without giving." Amy Carmichael

"The past effects the future, but does not have to determine it"-Dr. Karyn Purvis

"Time and experience have taught me a priceless lesson: Any child you take for your own becomes your own if you give of yourself to that child. I have born two children and had seven others by adoption, and they are all my children, equally beloved and precious" ~ Dale Evans

"How can there be too many children, it's like saying there are too many flowers." ~ Mother Teresa

“ The most precious jewels you’ll ever have around your neck are the arms of your children.” ~Author Unknown

Elijah's Adoption Timeline

September 2008Announced to family that we were planning on adopting from China for the second time October Started homestudyNovemberFinished all our homestudy visits, but had to get extra clearances for Daniel and AnnaJanuary 2009Send I800A to USCIS in ChicagoFebruary 20USCIS agent called and said approval was ready, but we might want to consider having Anna fingerprinted(she would soon turn 18)February 26Dana, our advocate, called and we first saw Eli's precious faceMarch 23I 797C- USCIS approvalMarch 24Dossier sent to our agency, A Helping HandApril 4Dossier sent to China!!! Praise the Lord!April 15Log In Date!! April 22Nurture and Care Plan, formerly LOI sent to CCAAApril 29Pre-ApprovalJuly 2Letter of Acceptance, or Letter Seeking ConfirmationJuly 6Mailed in acceptanceJuly 10Sent in I 800July 12I 800 received in ChicagoJuly 13First Pre-Travel MeetingJuly 24Email notification of I 800 approvalJuly 28Received I800 in the mailJuly 29Documents sent to GuangzhouAugust 4Cable sent from NVC to GuangzhouAugust 10Article 5 done and picked up by courierAugust 31Travel ApprovalSeptember 10-26Travel to China